Lean management in transition: Recent trends and future prospects of lean management. An analysis of literature and documentary sources

Abstract

Lean Management has evolved significantly since its origins in the Toyota Production System, expanding across industries and integrating with new technological, social, and sustainability-driven demands. This study analyzes recent academic literature (2015–2025) combined with two semi-structured interviews and documentary sources to identify how Lean is currently understood, applied, and developed. The analysis highlights emerging trends, such as digital Lean, human-centric Lean, data-driven continuous improvement, and sustainability-integrated Lean. The results suggest that Lean is transforming from a primarily tools-oriented methodology to a socio-technical management philosophy aligned with Industry 4.0. A key finding is the "Replacement Effect," where digital transparency reduces the need for traditional top-down control, shifting the role of the manager toward coaching. Furthermore, the study identifies that while technology like Augmented Reality (AR) facilitates cross-functional flexibility, successful implementation depends on robust project governance to manage cultural barriers and the "fear of replacement". The findings contribute to understanding how the Industrial Engineer's role will evolve into a "Systems Integrator" requiring mandatory digital literacy and a "System Architect" mindset over the coming future.

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